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April 6, 2011

a whole other animal

She also plays them with my ginormous knitting needles.

My intention with having lots of books, crafts, and musical instruments placed about our home was to just make those things accessible- not pushed upon my kids, but made readily available if they so fancy to dabble. Of course the mood strikes Ivy only when I am on the phone. But she is getting quite good.

Things have been exciting around here the past couple days. I have been on a writing deadline, show deadlines, as well as just trying to keep the household in (albeit slow) working order.

Then I also found out that I won a ticket on Modern Kiddo to attend next weekend's Mom 2.0 Summit in New Orleans. !! I've never been to that conference, and it's no secret I am absolutely wishy washy when it comes to blog conferences. Depending on my mood, I'm either so not into it or I am ravenous to attend. I have separation anxiety and can't leave the kids or I see it as an excellent opportunity to be apart MUST GO NOW.

I think because this is extremely last minute, I am not over thinking and just basically rolling with it. The fabulous Sara of Self Made Mom and 2 Moms Media offered to let me room with her at the Ritz. The rest of my way is being generously gifted by Sakura Bloom, who wants no big mention or exchange (I seriously love them) but I want to casually add that they do have a beautiful affiliate program if you are interested in joining and would like their ad on your site.

(And now I am going to go off on a little side note here, about advertising. And maybe I should start by saying I think I am totally not the person to give advertising advice, but anyway, this is my experience: I have been contacted from time to time about joining a bigger ad network, but I can't even begin to measure the value of the relationships I have with many of my advertisers, especially Sakura Bloom. Not only can I be in control of the ad content, but I have developed real friendships within the "partnership". Maybe I'll learn next week at Mom 2.0 that this is the wrong way to do things, but for me - and my blog might be unique in that I am of a different style and opinion and not applicable to other bloggers so- it has been the right way. And I don't mean that there is an either/or - ad network or not. I think obviously both are not one size fits all. It's about the whole package. The stuff that might take longer to see a pay off, the stuff that makes my heart feel good. This is my language... this is what makes having ads even possible at all, for me.)

Anyway, all of that to say... I am still waiting to hear if Jeff can even be home with the kids on Friday. Something about not knowing, and not having much time to prepare has me sensing a confidence I haven't felt in a long time. Like, so what that my greys are showing and I have sister-wife hair (no offense to any sister wives that might be reading this) and I have no new outfits to wear nor do I plan on buying any for the trip. I am almost being forced to not stress about those things (believe me, I have for past events) and must go on with myself like it's no big deal. And I am finding that the idea of this self is just as much the whole package as being primped and polished. You'd think I'd know all this by now but like I said, I'm a little slow moving. But at least I'm headed in that direction. (And hopefully to New Orleans! I should know for sure today!)

I don't think there is a right or wrong way, I think you should (as you are!) do things YOUR way on your blog! Awesome for winning the ticket... I hope you're able to go! I was riddled with guilt before I went to BlogHer last year. I had major anxiety and even took an Ativan on the plane to calm me down. I couldn't really justify leaving my kids for a PERSONAL reason, you know? It was like it was for my 'real' job, you know? So I had major guilt. I only stayed for two nights... and I survived! Same with BlissDom Canada. Two nights, and we were all okay. This year, with San Diego, I'm feeling even MORE guilty since for me it's even further away... AND it only makes sense to do three nights away. I don't know if I can do it! SO HARD. Major mommy guilt. Major.

Oh Steph! I so hope you can pull this off. I would love so much to see you and even have tea time with you. I am blessed that my husband could take the time off and be with our girls or I wouldn't feel comfortable going myself.

P.S. I love your thinking about advertising as well. I think you are right on target sweet friend!

That is AWESOME Stephanie!!!! I am sure you can pull it off. It reminds me of January when I got the opportunity to go to Blissdom just 2 weeks before the conference. Things came together and I was able to go, so glad I did!!!

I was going to tell you also, I saw a Sakura Bloom in person a few weeks ago, oh my it is beautiful. That is one sling I would love to purchase someday. Absolutely gorgeous.

I'm glad you are going and able to go in a very laid-back non-stress way. Just curious, though - you said you would be leaving Friday. Are we still having our read-through for LTYM or are we postponing until you get back? Either way is fine and whichever is less stressful to you is good. I'll talk to you soon!